How does He Shou Wu work to prevent gray hair?

He Shou Wu contains stilbene glycosides and resveratrol-like compounds that provide antioxidant activity, which may help protect hair follicle melanocytes from oxidative damage. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it nourishes the liver and kidney systems, which are believed to govern hair health and pigmentation. The antioxidant compounds may help preserve melanocyte function and slow premature graying. Evidence Level: C (based on preliminary research and traditional use).

Is He Shou Wu safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

He Shou Wu is considered unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding and should be avoided. The herb carries hepatotoxicity risks, and no clinical safety data exists for use during pregnancy. Traditional sources contraindicate its use in pregnant women. Additionally, its effects on hormonal pathways make it inappropriate during this time. Women who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding should not use He Shou Wu.

What is the recommended dosage for He Shou Wu?

The standard adult dosage for prepared He Shou Wu is 9-15 grams of prepared root as a decoction daily, or 500mg of a standardized extract taken twice daily. Only the prepared form (Zhi He Shou Wu) should be used. Start with lower doses to assess tolerance. Long-term low-dose administration is traditional for hair and longevity benefits. Consult a qualified practitioner for personalized dosing.

Does He Shou Wu interact with medications?

He Shou Wu may interact with medications metabolized by the liver, as it has been associated with drug-induced liver injury. It may enhance effects of anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications. Those taking hepatotoxic medications, blood thinners, or drugs processed through liver enzymes should avoid He Shou Wu. The raw form poses significant liver risks. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining with prescription medications. Evidence Level: C.

Why must I avoid raw He Shou Wu?

Raw He Shou Wu is hepatotoxic and can cause serious liver damage, including elevated liver enzymes, jaundice, and hepatitis. The prepared form (Zhi He Shou Wu) undergoes extensive processing with black bean liquid and repeated steaming, which significantly reduces toxic compounds like emodin while enhancing therapeutic constituents. Only purchase prepared He Shou Wu from reputable suppliers and verify the product is the processed form.

He Shou Wu (Reynoutria multiflora)

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

He Shou Wu (Reynoutria multiflora), also known as Fo-ti, is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb used for anti-aging and various chronic conditions [PMID:30895364, PMID:35069206]. It is strongly associated with herb-induced liver injury (HILI) [PMID:31644102, PMID:34539416].

Background

Reynoutria multiflora (synonym Polygonum multiflorum) is a medicinal plant native to China [PMID:31644102]. It is officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia as Polygoni Multiflori Radix (RPM), Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparata (PMP), and Polygoni Multiflori Caulis (PMC) [PMID:35431961].

Traditional uses

It has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat backache, dizziness, liver disease, graying of the hair, constipation [PMID:31644102], and as a liver and kidney tonic for life longevity and hair blackening [PMID:30895364, PMID:33062019].

Active compounds

The herb is rich in stilbenes, quinones, and flavonoids [PMID:30895364]. The primary bioactive component is 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) [PMID:35069206, PMID:40244282]. Other identified constituents include emodin, physcion, and various gallic acid and catechin derivatives [PMID:35431961, PMID:38469408].

Mechanism of action

TSG alleviates oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis [PMID:40244282]. Emodin induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by reducing mitochondrial membrane potential and affecting lipid metabolism [PMID:31297058]. The herb may suppress lethal prostate cancer growth by inducing CDC25B-CDK1 mediated cell cycle arrest [PMID:39180863] and inhibit fatty acid synthase (FAS) to reduce body weight [PMID:14998716].

Clinical evidence

Evidence AAnti-aging and Age-related pathologies

TSG demonstrates effects including lifespan extension, neuroprotection (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's), cardiovascular protection, delay of gonadal aging, and promotion of hair regrowth [PMID:40244282].

Evidence DProstate Cancer

Suppresses lethal prostate cancer growth in vitro and in xenograft mice models [PMID:39180863].

Evidence DGlucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis

Ethanolic extract mitigated osteopenia in male rats [PMID:38442325].

Evidence DObesity

Reduced body weight and food intake in rats via inhibition of fatty acid synthase [PMID:14998716].

Drug interactions

Combining Reynoutria multiflora with Cullen corylifolium may enhance idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity under immunological stress [PMID:40383245].

Evidence summary

Evidence for anti-aging and hepatotoxicity is strong (Systematic Reviews/Meta-analyses), while evidence for cancer and osteoporosis is limited to in vitro and animal models.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 31644102 (2012) — Herb-induced liver injury: Systematic review and meta-analysis. · CITED REFERENCE
2.PMID: 36775079 (2023) — Jinfeng pills ameliorate premature ovarian insufficiency induced by cyclophosphamide in rats and correlate to modulating IL-17A/IL-6 axis and MEK/ERK signals. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
3.PMID: 39180863 (2024) — Reynoutria multiflora (Thunb.) Moldenke and its ingredient suppress lethal prostate cancer growth by inducing CDC25B-CDK1 mediated cell cycle arrest. · Bioorganic chemistry
4.PMID: 30895364 (2019) — Attributes of Polygonum multiflorum to transfigure red biotechnology. · Applied microbiology and biotechnology
5.PMID: 30066422 (2019)

He Shou Wu

Sources & Citations

Curculigo Latifolia

Corn Pollen

Cynomorium Herb

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Drug interactions

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

He Shou Wu

Sources & Citations

Related Herbs

Curculigo Latifolia

Corn Pollen

Cynomorium Herb

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Drug interactions

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources